One of San Cristobal Island's most popular visitor sites is Cerro Brujo, with its expansive white sand beach and a lagoon that locals once used as a salt mine but now offers excellent snorkeling opportunities. Another must-see is Kicker Rock, a fascinating rock formation that looks like a boot from one angle (hence its English name) and like a sleeping lion from another (thus its Spanish name, Roca León Dormido).

Portovenere, in the region of Cinque Terre, is a characteristic medieval village situated at the far west of the gulf. With its colored, narrow high houses, the Genoese Castle, the St. Pietro Church on the steep cliff, it unites history with charm.

Belize is an independent state in northeastern Central America. The climate of Belize is subtropical, moderated by sea breezes along the coast. Slightly less than half the area of Belize is covered by forests; deciduous trees are found in the north; tropical hardwood trees predominate in the south.

ABERDEEN -- Scotland's third-largest city (pop. 187,000) is characterized by buildings of beautiful white granite. Set beside the North Sea, Aberdeen is both a university town and the capital of the Scottish oil boom. It is also one of Scotland's largest seaside resorts (though its appeal is confined to those who like their water well-chilled).

Set on the Adriatic Sea, Zadar, Croatia, is a major Dalmatia historical center and a tourism magnet. Walk ancient streets, see Roman ruins and enjoy white-sand beaches.